NHTSA Complaint #10614882 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

I WAS DRIVING THE VAN THIS AFTERNOON ON A PUBLIC ROAD WHEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE VAN STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. I PULLED INTO A AUTOMOTIVE GARAGE AND GOT OUT OF THE VAN AND IT WAS STILL SMOKING BADLY. I INDIVIDUAL WHO ACTUALLY WORKED AT THE GARAGE WAS ON HIS WAY HOME FROM A RESTAURANT AND PULLED INTO THE PARKING AREA. HE HAD ME GO INTO THE VEHICLE TO PULL THE LATCH TO THE HOOD AND WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD THE ENGINE AND OTHER PARTS WERE ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. THEY SPREAD INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VAN AND DESTROYED THE DASH BOARD, WINDSHIELD AND OTHER AREA. THE ROOF ON THE INSIDE WAS MELTING. THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE VAN IS DESTROYED. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO STOPPED AND HELPED ME OUT IS A MECHANIC AT THAT PARTICULAR GARAGE AND SAID IT LOOKED TO HIM LIKE A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM STARTED THE FIRE. I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE. PERSONAL ITEMS I HAD INSIDE THE VAN ARE RUINED OR DESTROYED. *TR